Fluid distributing device

ABSTRACT

A fluid distributing device that can be utilized in a refrigerated transport unit, an air duct for an HVAC system in a building, a heat exchanger, etc. The fluid distributing device includes a body having an outlet that directs fluid from the fluid distributing device and a positive fluid displacement device configured to draw fluid into an interior of the body. A method for a fluid distributing device to distribute air within an interior space of the refrigerated transport unit includes drawing air into the fluid distributing device and discharging air out of the fluid distributing device via an outlet.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to the field of heating, ventilation, airconditioning and refrigeration (HVAC-R) systems. In particular, thisdisclosure relates to a fluid distributing device for actively managingairflow distribution within a HVAC-R system.

BACKGROUND

A HVAC-R system generally refers to a system used in controlling anenvironmental condition (e.g., temperature, humidity, atmosphere, etc.)of an indoor environment. One example is a refrigerated transport unitthat is used to transport goods from one location to another whilemaintaining environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity,atmosphere, etc.) within an interior space of the transport unit wherethe goods are stored. A refrigerated transport unit includes a transportunit and a transport refrigeration unit (“TRU”) attached to thetransport unit. For example, a transport unit may be a container (suchas a container on a flat car, an intermodal container, etc.), a truck, abox car, or other similar transport unit. The TRU provides conditionedair into the interior space of the transport unit so that the interiorspace is kept at a desired environmental condition. The TRU can include,without limitation, a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, anevaporator, fans and/or blowers to control a heat exchange between airinside the interior space and the ambient air outside of therefrigerated transport unit.

A HVAC-R system can include a heat exchanger configured to exchange heatbetween air and a second fluid. For example, a heat exchanger may heator cool air utilizing a refrigerant. Generally, a TRU includes acompressor to heat and/or cool a working fluid. The heat exchanger maybe an oil cooler of the TRU that cools the compressor and one or more ofits components (e.g., motor, bearings, rotor, etc.). The oil cooler mayuse air to cool oil that is transferring heat away from the compressor.The oil can flow through a heat exchanger tube of the oil cooler whilethe air flows across the outer surface of the heat exchanger tube. Heatis transferred from the flowing oil to the flow air through the outersurface(s) of the heat exchanger tube.

Another example of a HVAC-R system is a heating, ventilation, and airconditioning (“HVAC”) system that is used to control environmentalconditions within a building. The HVAC system may include air ducts thatare used to transport conditioned air generated by the HVAC system tovarious parts of the building.

BRIEF SUMMARY

This application is directed to a fluid distributing device for activelymanaging airflow distribution within a HVAC-R system.

In particular, the embodiments described herein provide a fluiddistributing device that can actively direct airflow in a controlledmanner. For example, a fluid distributing device in one embodiment candirect fluid at an increased velocity and/or in a specific direction. Inan embodiment, the fluid distributing device may be controlled to directairflow depending upon one or more conditions (e.g., whether goods arelocated in a particular part of a refrigerated transport unit, whether arefrigerated transport unit is travelling at or above a particularspeed, whether conditioned air is needed in a specific area of abuilding, whether airflow through a heat exchanger causes hotspots toform in the heat exchanger, etc.).

In an embodiment, the fluid distributing device includes a body with anoutlet, two inlets, and two positive fluid displacement devices. Thepositive fluid displacement devices draw air, via the inlet, fromoutside the fluid distributing device into the fluid distributing deviceand form a stream of air that exits the outlet of the fluid distributingdevice. The fluid distributing device creates the stream to have ahigher velocity than the fluid flowing towards and past the fluiddistributing device. The fluid distributing device may be activated toprovide a stream of air that reaches a location that the air flowingtowards the fluid distributing device would not normally reach.

In an embodiment, the fluid distributing device is attached to a roof ofa refrigerated transport unit. The fluid distributing device may beactivated to direct air towards an area that is farther from a TRU,which supplies conditioned air to the interior of the refrigeratedtransport unit. The fluid distributing device ensuring that theconditioned air reaches the area farther from the TRU. In an embodiment,the fluid distributing device is actively controlled. The fluiddistributing device may be controlled based on location of goods withinthe refrigerated transport unit.

In an embodiment, the fluid distributing device can be attached outsideof the refrigerated transport unit. The fluid distributing device may belocated near a fan of the TRU. The fluid distributing device may beactivated to reduce the impact of ram air effects on the flow of airfrom the fan of the TRU.

In an embodiment, the HVAC-R system can be a HVAC system configured tocondition a building. The fluid distributing device can be locatedwithin a duct of a HVAC system. The fluid distributing device may beactivated so as to provide greater flow of conditioned air to moreremote portions of the building.

In an embodiment, the HVAC-R system can include a heat exchanger. Thefluid distributing device can be located within the heat exchanger andcan be configured to direct air across one or more of the heat exchangertube(s). The fluid distributing device may be activated to reduce deadspots located along the heat exchanger tube(s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is now made to the drawings in which like reference numbersrefer to corresponding parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a transport unit, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an interior of the transport unit shown in FIG.1 with a TRU, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the interior of the transport unit shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 4A is a front isometric view of a fluid distributing device,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a side view of the fluid distributing device shown in FIG.4A.

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of a cross section of the fluiddistributing device shown in FIG. 4A along line 4C-4C.

FIG. 4D is a view of a bottom of the fluid distributing device shown inFIG. 4A.

FIG. 4E is a cross sectional view of a portion of the fluid distributingdevice shown in FIG. 3 along the line 4E-4E, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 5A is a front perspective view of a fluid distributing device,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a cross section of the fluiddistributing device shown in FIG. 5A along line 5B-5B.

FIG. 6 is a top view of an interior of a transport unit, according toone embodiment.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are views of an interior volume of a fluid distributingdevice, according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are views of an interior volume of a fluid distributingdevice, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a control diagram for controllingone or more fluid distributing devices of a refrigerated transport unit,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart of a method of distributing air in arefrigerated transport unit, according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 11A, 11B are views of a refrigerated transport unit including anexternal fluid distributing device, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 11C is a rear prospective view of a portion of the fluiddistributing device illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are views of a fluid distributing device in a duct foran HVAC system, according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C are views of a heating space of an oil coolerwith a fluid distributing device, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments in which theinvention may be practiced. These embodiments are described insufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice what isclaimed, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may beutilized without departing form the spirit and the scope of the claims.The following detailed description and the accompanying drawings,therefore, are not to be taken in a finite sense.

Many types of goods need to be stored at specific environmentalconditions while being transported. For example, perishable goods mayneed to be stored within a specific temperature range to preventspoilage and liquid goods may need to be kept at a temperature abovetheir freezing point. Also, goods having electronic components may needto be kept in environmental conditions with a lower moisture content toavoid damage to their electronic components. A transport refrigerationunit may blow conditioned air into the interior of a refrigeratedtransport unit to keep the air within the refrigerated transport unit atthe desired environmental conditions. However, airflow of theconditioned air may not allow for an even distribution of theconditioned air within an interior space of the transport unit. Anuneven distribution of the conditioned air can be due to, for example,how goods are stored within the interior space and how the conditionedair is blown into the interior space. Accordingly, locations within theinterior space may have fluctuations in temperature due to, for example,temperature hotspots formed within the interior space that have a highertemperature than the desired temperature. In particular, locationswithin the interior space that are furthest from where the conditionedair is blown into the interior space can include undesirable hotspots.

Some embodiments described herein can provide a fluid distributingdevice that suctions air within the interior space and blows the airtowards other locations within the transport unit. The fluiddistributing device can be located along an airflow path of theconditioned air so that the fluid distributing device can help evenlydistribute the conditioned air within the interior space.

The transport refrigeration unit may heat or cool the conditioned airutilizing a refrigeration circuit with a working fluid. During theheating or cooling process, the working fluid may be cooled in a heatexchanger (e.g., a condenser) utilizing process air. The heated processair can be discharged by one or more fan(s) out of the transportrefrigeration unit (and the refrigerated transport unit) through one ormore outlet(s). However, ambient air traveling along the refrigeratedtransport unit may flow into or across the one or more outlet(s) andcause a pressure gradient and decrease the flow of process air orprevent the process air from being discharged via the one or morefan(s). This is typically referred to as a ram air effect. To preventthe effects of the ram air effect, the one or more fan(s) may berequired to operate at a higher speed in order to force the process airout of the transport refrigeration unit. The ram air effect can increaseas the refrigerated transport vehicle travels at higher speeds. Someembodiments described herein provide a fluid distributing device locatednear the one or more outlet(s) to discharge air near the outlet to helpdecrease the ram air effect on the one or more fan(s).

In some commercial HVAC systems, the HVAC system may be required toprovide conditioned air throughout a building. The HVAC system cangenerate conditioned (e.g., heated, cooled, humidified, dehumidified,etc.) air and can direct the conditioned air to different portions ofthe building through, for example, air ducts. The velocity ofconditioned air can drop as it travels through the ducts. Thus, portionsof the building that are located further from where the HVAC systemgenerates the conditioned air may not receive the desired amount ofconditioned air. Some embodiments described herein include a fluiddistributing device that can be located within one or more air duct(s)and can increase the velocity of the conditioned air by suctioning anddischarging a higher velocity stream of the conditioned air. The fluiddistributing device can increase the velocity of the conditioned air insaid portion of the one or more air duct(s) so that the conditioned aircan reach all desired locations within the building.

In some embodiments, a transport refrigeration unit may include acompressor to compress a working fluid. The compressor may utilize oilthat provides lubrication and cooling. The heated oil may be cooled byair in an oil cooler. Heated oil may flow through a heat exchanger tubeof the oil cooler while air flows around the outside of the heatexchanger tube. However, the air may not flow equally over the surfacesof the heat exchanger tube creating dead spots (e.g., a surface areathat has a small to no air flow) that can decrease the efficiency of theoil cooler. Some embodiments described herein include a fluiddistributing device that can direct a stream of air across the heatexchanger tube of the oil cooler to reduce and/or prevent the formationof dead spots.

FIGS. 1-3 show an embodiment of a transport unit 5. FIG. 1 shows a frontperspective view of the transport unit 5. FIG. 2 shows a side view of aninterior of the transport unit 5. FIG. 3 is a top view of the interiorof the transport unit 5. The transport unit 5 shown in FIGS. 1-3 is atrailer that can be attached to, for example, a tractor. It will beappreciated that the embodiments described herein are not limited totractor and trailer units, but can apply to any type of transport unitsuch as a container (e.g., a container on a flat car, an intermodalcontainer, etc.), a truck, a box car, or other similar transport unit.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the transport unit 5 has a front wall 10, a backwall 15, a roadside longitudinal wall 20, a curbside longitudinal wall25, a roof 30, and a floor 35 that defines an interior space 50. Thetransport unit 5 has a length L that extends from the front wall 10 tothe back wall 15 and a width W that extends from the roadsidelongitudinal wall 20 to the curbside longitudinal wall 25 (see FIG. 3).A transport refrigeration unit (“TRU”) 40 can be attached to the frontwall 10 of the transport unit 5, which is shown in the FIGS. 2 and 3. Asshown in FIG. 1, the front wall 10 includes an opening 12 that allowsthe TRU 40 to provide conditioned air to the interior space 50. Adirection perpendicular to the roadside longitudinal wall 20 is aroadside direction D_(R) and a direction perpendicular to the curbsidelongitudinal wall 25 is a curbside direction D_(C) (see FIG. 3). Asshown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the transport unit 5 combined with a TRS thatincludes, for example, the TRU 40, a fluid distributing device 100, anoptional fluid distributing device 102, and a plurality of sensors (notshown) together form a refrigerated transport unit 1.

The TRU 40 blows conditioned air into the interior space 50 of thetransport unit 5 to provide a desired conditioned environment for thegoods being transported within the transport unit 5. For example, theTRU 40 may cool the air within the transport unit 5 when perishablegoods are being transported. The TRU 40 includes a refrigeration circuit(not shown) configured to heat or cool air utilizing a working fluid.The TRU 40 blows the conditioned air into the interior space 50 via theopening 12 (shown in FIG. 1) towards the back wall 15 of the transportunit 5, as shown by the arrows 48 in FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown in FIGS. 2and 3, the conditioned air blown by the TRU 40 travels generally in alongitudinal direction D_(L). The longitudinal direction D_(L) is adirection along the length L of the transport unit 5. During operationof the refrigerant circuit, the TRU 40 utilizes process air to heat orcool the working fluid. After heating or cooling the working fluid, theprocess air is discharged from the TRU 40 (and the refrigeratedtransport unit 1) by fans 42 through outlets 44 (see FIG. 3) into theambient outside of the refrigerated transport unit 1. The outlets 44 arelocated along an upper surface 46 of the TRU 40 and the process air isdischarged from the outlets 44 as shown by the arrow 43 in FIG. 2. TheTRU 40 in an embodiment may include one or more outlets 44 fordischarging the process air into the ambient outside of the refrigeratedtransport unit 1.

The fluid distributing device 100 is located within the interior space50 of the transport unit 5. The fluid distributing device 100 isattached to the roof 30 of the transport unit 5 by a bracket 105.However, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the fluiddistributing device 100 may be directly attached to the roof 30 usingother types of attachment mechanisms without the bracket 105.Alternatively, in other embodiments the fluid distributing device 100may be attached by using an attachment mechanism such as the bracket 105directly to the roadside longitudinal wall 20 or the curbsidelongitudinal wall 25. In an embodiment, a portion of the roof 30 or wall20, 25 to which the fluid distributing device 100 is attached may becontoured or formed to reduce the pressure drop caused by the fluiddistributing device 100 being disposed in the pathway of the incomingair.

Optionally, the transport unit 5 in some embodiments may have a secondfluid distributing device 102 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The secondfluid distributing device 102 is attached to the roof 30 of thetransport unit 5 in a similar manner to the first fluid distributingdevice 100. The second fluid distributing device 102 may have a similarconfiguration to the first fluid distributing device 100 and can beconfigured to direct air to other locations within the interior space 50based on its specific position within the transport unit 5. Two fluiddistributing devices 100, 102 are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, itshould be appreciated that the transport unit 5 in some embodiments mayinclude a single fluid distributing device 100 as shown in FIG. 3 orthree or more fluid distributing devices as required for the specificapplication.

The fluid distributing device 100 is positioned at or about halfway ofthe length L of the transport unit 5 from the front 10 as shown in FIGS.2 and 3. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the distance dbetween the fluid distributing device 100 and the front 10 of thetransport unit 5 is about equal to or greater than half of the length Lof the transport unit 5. However, it should be appreciated that thefluid distributing device 100 may be positioned in an embodiment so thatthe distance d between the fluid distributing device 100 and the front10 is less than half of the length L of the transport unit 5. In anotherembodiment, the fluid distributing device 100 may be positioned so thatthe distance d between the fluid distributing device 100 and the front10 is more than half of the length L of the transport unit 5. The secondfluid distributing device 102 is positioned between the first fluiddistributing device 100 and the back wall 15 of the transport unit 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, the interior space 50 may include a first portion50A that extends from the first fluid distributing device 100 to thesecond fluid distributing device 102 and a second portion 50B thatextends from the second fluid distributing device 102 to the back wall15 of the transport unit 5. The first fluid distributing device 100 maybe configured to direct condition air so that the first portion 50A ofthe interior space 50 has a more even distribution of conditioned airthat helps prevent hotspots from forming in the first portion 50A. Thesecond fluid distributing device 102 may be configured to directconditioned air so that the second portion 50B of the interior space 50has a more even distributing of the conditioned air that helps preventhotspots from forming within the portion 50B. The interior space has twoportions 50A, 50B in FIG. 2. However, it should be appreciated that thetransport unit 5 may have a single fluid distributing device 100 orthree or more fluid distributing devices. When there are two or morefluid distributing devices, each fluid distributing device may bedisposed at different locations within the interior space 50 to providea more even distribution of the conditioned air within the interiorspace 50 to prevent hotspots from forming.

FIGS. 4A-4D show various views of the fluid distributing device 100,according to one embodiment. FIG. 4A is a front isometric view of thefluid distributing device 100. FIG. 4B is a side view of a second end115 of the fluid distributing device 100. FIG. 4C is a front perspectiveview of a cross section of the fluid distributing device 100 along line4C-4C shown in in FIG. 4A. FIG. 4D is a view of a bottom 120 of thefluid distributing device 100. The fluid distributing device 100 has afirst end 110, a second end 115, a bottom 120, a top 122, a front 125,and a back 127. The first end 110 is opposite the second end 115 (seeFIG. 4D). The fluid distributing device 100 has a width to that extendsfrom the first end 110 to the second end 115 (see FIG. 4A).

The first end 110 and the second end 115 each have an inlet 135, 140(see FIGS. 4A and 4B). As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, each of the inlets135, 140 has an oval shape. However, it should be appreciated that theshape of one or more of the inlets 135, 140 of the fluid distributingdevice may be different. For example, the inlets 135, 140 may becircular or have a polygonal shape (e.g., hexagon shaped, etc.).

As shown by FIG. 3, each end 110, 115 of the fluid distributing device100 faces a respective longitudinal wall 20, 25. Accordingly, each ofthe inlets 135, 140 faces a respective one of the longitudinal walls 20,25. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, the inlet(s) 135,140 of the fluid distributing device 100 may have a differentconfiguration than shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. For example, the fluiddistributing device 100 may have more than two inlets 135, 140 in anembodiment.

For example, the fluid distributing device 100 may have one or moreinlets 135, 140 at only one of the ends 110, 115. In one embodiment, thefluid distributing device 100 may have a single inlet 135 at the firstend 110 and no inlet at the second end 115. In another embodiment, thefluid distributing device 100 may have multiple inlets at the first end110 and no inlets at the second end 115. In yet another embodiment, thefluid distributing device 100 may have a single inlet 135 at the firstend 110 and multiple inlets at the second end 115. Further, in anotherembodiment, the fluid distributing device 100 may have multiple inletsat the first end 110 and multiple inlets at the second end 115.

In another example, the fluid distributing device 100 may have one ormore inlets 135, 140 located along the first end 110, the second end115, the top 122, and/or back 127 of the fluid distributing device 100.Providing an inlet 135, 140 in the same surface and/or plane as anoutlet 130 and to the back of the outlet 130 may result in a portion ofthe blown air being drawn back into the fluid distributing device 100,and in a negative impact to the efficiency of the fluid distributingdevice 100. In an embodiment, the one or more inlets 135, 140 are notlocated in the surface of the fluid distributing device 100 thatincludes an outlet 130 and/or along the same plane as the outlet 130. Inan embodiment, the fluid distributing device 100 has a bottom 120 withthe outlet 130 and the one or more inlets 135, 140 are not located alongthe bottom 120. However, it should be appreciated that the outlet 130 inan embodiment may be provided in a difference surface of the fluiddistributing device 130 than the bottom 120. In such an embodiment, thefluid distributing device 100 may have one or more outlets 135, 140 inthe bottom 120 of the fluid distributing device 100.

As shown in FIG. 4D, the fluid distributing device 100 includes anoutlet 130 that extends along the bottom 120 of the fluid distributingdevice 100 between the first end 110 and the second end 115 near thefront 125. The outlet 130 is a slit formed in the bottom 120 of thefluid distributing device 100. The outlet 130 is shown in dashed linesin FIGS. 3 and 4A as the outlet 130 would not be visible in the views inFIGS. 3 and 4A. The outlet 130 extends in a direction parallel to thewidth ω of the fluid distributing device 100. As shown in FIG. 3, theoutlet 130 extends in a direction parallel to the width W of thetransport unit 5. However, it will be appreciated that in otherembodiments, the outlet 130 may not extend all of the way from the firstend 110 to the second end 115. Also, in some embodiments, the outlet 130may extend in a direction that is not parallel to the width w of thefluid distributing device 100 and/or the width W of the transport unit5.

FIG. 4E is a cross sectional view of a portion of the fluid distributingdevice 100 along line 4E-4E in FIG. 3, according to one embodiment. Asshown in FIGS. 4C and 4E, the fluid distributing device 100 includes aprotrusion 160 that extends from the bottom 120 upwardly into theinternal volume of fluid distributing device 100. The protrusion 160 isconfigured to help guide the air blown out of the fluid distributingdevice 100 through the outlet 130 into a stream. The protrusion 160 canalso help reduce turbulent airflow within the fluid distributing device100 near the outlet 160. The bottom 120, top 122, front 125, and back127 of the fluid distributing device 100 may be formed from a sheet ofmaterial that is bent or formed to have a cross section as shown inFIGS. 4C and 4E. For example, a first end (e.g., the edge 162) of thesheet would folio the protrusion 160 and a second end (e.g., the edge132) of the sheet would faun the forward edge of the outlet 130.Alternatively, in some embodiments the protrusion 160 may be separatelyformed and attached to the bottom 120 of the fluid distributing device100. The protrusion 160 can help guide the air in the fluid distributingdevice 100 that is flowing towards the front 125 to the outlet 130 ofthe fluid distributing device 100. In an embodiment, the fluiddistributing device 100 may be Banned of multiple plastic parts that areassembled together.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4E, the fluid distributing device 100 ispositioned in the path of air blown by the TRU 40 as shown by arrows 48.Accordingly, the shape of the fluid distributing device 100 may beaerodynamic to minimize disruption (e.g., prevent a velocity drop) ofthe air that flows across the surfaces (e.g., bottom 120, top 122, front125, back 127) of the fluid distributing device 100. For example, shapeof the fluid distributing device 100 is aerodynamic as the cross sectionalong the path of the air blown by the TRU 40 (e.g., along thelongitudinal direction D_(L) gradually increases from the front of thefluid distributing device 100 to the middle (e.g., at or about where theoutlet 130 is positioned) of the fluid distributing device 100, and thengradually decreases from the middle into a tail at the back end of thefluid distributing device. The front 125 of the fluid distributingdevice 100 is curved to provide an aerodynamic profile for the airflowing past and along the fluid distributing device 100. The inlets135, 140 are advantageously located on the ends 110, 115 of the fluiddistributing device 100 so as to have a lesser impact on the velocity ofthe air that flows in the longitudinal direction D_(L) past the fluiddistributing device 100.

The first end 110 and second end 115 are angled relative to the front125 and back 127 of the fluid distributing device 100. As shown in FIGS.3 and 4D, each end 110, 115 is angled relative to the direction 48 ofthe incoming conditioned air. As shown in FIG. 4D, the second end 115has an angle β relative to the direction 48 of the incoming air. In someembodiments, angle β can range from 0 to 45 degrees.

The angle of the ends 110, 115 can make the overall shape of the fluiddistributing device 100 more aerodynamic for passing air. The angle ofthe ends 110, 115 can also cause the inlets 135, 140 to be angledtowards the incoming air. The angle of the ends 110, 115 can also resultin each inlet 135, 140 not directly facing its correspondinglongitudinal wall 20, 25. For example, the angle between the inlet 135in the first end 110 and the roadside direction D_(R) can equal theangle β, and the angle between the inlet 140 in the second end 115 andthe curbside direction D_(C) can equal angle β. The first end 110 andsecond end 115 in an embodiment can have an angle that is equal to angleβ relative to the direction 48 of the incoming air to reduce turbulencecaused by the ends 110, 115. In FIG. 4D, both ends 135, 140 have thesame angle β. In other embodiments, the ends 135, 140 may each havedifferent angles. The angle β may be determined based on the positioningof the fluid distributing device 100 and how the air flows past thefluid distributing device 100 in its position.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4A-4E, the fluid distributing device 100 has atop 122 that is separated from the roof 30 of the transport unit 5 by abracket 105. However, the fluid distributing device 100 in someembodiments may be affixed directly to the roof 30. In such anembodiment, the fluid distributing device 100 may, for example, not havea top 122 that is separate from the roof 30. Instead, a portion of theroof 30 may form the top 122 of the fluid distributing device 100. Forexample, in such an embodiment, the fluid distributing device 100 may beconfigured so that the upper edges of the sides 110, 115, the front 125,and back 127 connect to the roof 30 to form the internal volume of thefluid distributing device 100.

A positive air displacement device is included within fluid distributingdevice 100. As shown in FIG. 4E, the positive air displacement device isa fan 150 that includes an inlet 152 and an outlet 155. The fan 150 ispositioned along the second end 115 so that the inlet 152 of the fan 150is positioned around or along the inlet 140 of the second end 115. Thefan is affixed to the second end 115. The fan 150 is configured tosuction air entering the fluid distributing device 100 via the inlet 140and blow the air via the outlet 155 in a direction 157 towards the front125 of the fluid distributing device 100. The air blown towards thefront 125 by the fan 150 is then guided by the protrusion 160 and aportion of the front surface 125 to the outlet 130. Accordingly, the fan150 can suction air from outside the fluid distributing device 100 viathe inlet 140 and blow the air to the front 125 and out of the of thefluid distributing device 100 via the outlet 130.

The outlet 130 is foamed so that the fluid distributing device 100 canblow air entering the fluid distributing device 100 via the inlet 140 ina direction N. As shown in FIG. 3, the direction N of the blown air isparallel to the longitudinal direction D_(L) towards the back wall 15 ofthe transport unit 5. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments,the fluid distributing device 100 can be configured to blow the air in adirection N that is angled relative to the longitudinal direction D_(L).For example, the fluid distributing device 100 may be configured to blowair in a direction N that is up to 45° different than the longitudinaldirection D_(L). Thus, in some embodiments the outlet 130 may be angledtowards the curbside longitudinal wall 25 or the roadside longitudinalwall 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, air is blown from the fluid distributing device 100towards a portion of the internal space 50 (e.g., the first portion 50A,the second portion 50B, etc.). A distance from said portion to the TRU40 is greater than the distance d, and the distance from the fluiddisturbing device 100 to said portion. In an embodiment, the conditionedair may be provided to the internal space 50 from an opening that is notalong the front wall 10 of the transport unit 5 (e.g., the opening 12 inFIG. 1, etc.). For example, the TRU 40 may be located along a differentwall (e.g., a back wall 15, a roadside longitudinal wall 20, a curbsidelongitudinal wall 25, a roof 30, etc.) of the transport unit 5 and/or aduct (not shown) may provide conditioned air of the TRU 40 to theinternal space 50. In some embodiments, the internal space 50 may bedivided into multiple zones (e.g., divided into separate portions, etc.)and a duct may be aligned for transporting conditioned air from the TRU40 to a specific one of the zones. In an embodiment, an opening (e.g.,an opening in the transport unit 5 or of said duct) provides theconditioned air to the internal space 50. In such an embodiment, thefluid distributing device 100 may blow air towards a portion of theinternal space 50, and a distance from said portion to the opening canbe greater than a distance from the opening to the fluid distributingdevice 100 and a distance from the fluid disturbing device 100 to saidportion.

As shown in FIG. 4E, the fluid distributing device 100 can blow the airat an angle α. In some embodiments, the angle α can be about 5 degreesrelative to a horizontal direction H. The horizontal direction H is adirection parallel to roof 30 of the transport unit 5. In someembodiments, the angle α of the air blown from the fluid distributingdevice 100 relative to a horizontal direction H may be in a rangebetween about 0 degrees to about 45 degrees. In other embodiments, theangle α of the air blown from the fluid distributing device 100 relativeto a horizontal direction H may be in a range between about 0 degrees toabout 10 degrees. In yet some other embodiments, the angle α of the airblown from the fluid distributing device 100 relative to a horizontaldirection H may be in a range between about 0 degrees to about 5degrees.

As previously discussed, the fluid distributing device 100 may beattached to the curbside longitudinal wall 25 or the roadsidelongitudinal wall 20 in an embodiment. In such an embodiment, the angleα may be relative to a direction that is parallel to the longitudinalwall 20, 25 to which the fluid distributing device 100 is attachedinstead of the horizontal direction. In such an embodiment, thedirection N as described herein may be a direction perpendicular to theairflow direction (e.g., direction 48 in FIG. 3) and the longitudinalwall 20, 25.

FIGS. 5A-B illustrate a fluid distributing device 200 that has an outlet230 along the back 227 of the fluid distributing device 200 instead ofthe bottom 120. The fluid distributing device 200 has a front 225; a top222; ends 210, 215 with inlets 235, 240; bottom 220; and a width ω₁ thatare similar to the fluid distributing device 100 in FIGS. 4A-4E. Thefluid distributing device 200 may mounted in a similar manner asdiscussed with the fluid distributing device 100. For example, the fluiddistributing device 200 in an embodiment may be affixed to the roof 30by a bracket 305 similar to the bracket 105. The inlet 240, second end215, and a bottom edge of the opening 230 are shown in dashed lines inFIG. 5A as they would not be visible in the view shown in FIG. 5A.

The fluid distributing device 200 includes a projection 260 in theoutlet 230. The projection 260 extends from the outlet 230. Theprojection 260 directs the air exiting the outlet 230 in a similarmanner to the protrusion 160 of the fluid distributing device 100. Thefluid distributing device 200 may be made in a similar manner asdiscussed above for fluid distributing device 100. In an embodiment, thefluid distributing device 200 may also be modified (e.g., with differentplacements for the inlets 235, 240) in a similar manner as discussedregarding fluid distributing device 100.

FIG. 6 is a top view of an interior of a transport unit 1B with anembodiment of a fluid distributing device 300. The fluid distributingdevice 300 has a similar configuration to the fluid distributing 100 asdiscussed herein, except for its overall shape. For example, the fluiddistributing device 300 has a first end 310, a second end 315, a top322, a front 325, a back 327, and a width ω₂. The fluid distributingdevice 100, 200 shown in FIGS. 1-5B is shaped to be straight from itsfirst end 110 to its second end 115. In contrast, the fluid distributingdevice 300 in FIG. 6 has a concave shape from its first end 310 to itssecond end 315. Also, the fluid distributing device 300 in FIG. 6 isconcave towards the direction of the incoming air 48.

The fluid distributing device 300 may be configured to blow air from itsoutlet (not shown in FIG. 6) in directions (e.g., N₁ and N₂) rangingfrom about 0 to about 45 degrees different than the longitudinaldirection. For example, the fluid distributing device 300 may beconfigured so that each of N₁ and N₂ in FIG. 6 is about 45 degreesdifferent from the longitudinal direction D_(L). The fluid distributingdevice 300 in an embodiment may be constructed in a similar manner asdiscussed herein regarding the fluid distributing device 100, and may bemodified (e.g., have different placement of the its inlet(s) oroutlet(s)) as similarly discussed with respect to the fluid distributingdevice 100. Additionally, one or more inlets 235, 240 of the fluiddistributing device 200 may also be located in the bottom 220 of thefluid distributing device 200 as the outlet 260 is located in the back227. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, the conditioned airis blown through the internal space of the trailer 5 in direction 48,which is the same as longitudinal direction D_(L). However, in anembodiment, the conditioned air may be blown from a different direction.In some embodiments, the internal space of the trailer 5 may be dividedinto multiple zones, and air may be blown into each zone in a differentmanner (e.g., a different direction). It should be appreciated that thepositioning and configuration of the positioning and configuration ofthe fluid distributing device 100, 200, 300 as described above may bemodified so that the conditioned air flows past the fluid distributingdevice 100, 200, 300 as described above. For example, the fluiddistributing device 100, 200, 300 in an embodiment is configured andpositioned so that its front 125, 235, 335, faces the direction of theincoming conditioned air.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show an interior volume 101 of the fluid distributingdevice 100, according to one embodiment. FIG. 7A is downward horizontalcross sectional view of interior volume 101 the fluid distributingdevice 100. FIG. 7B is a cross sectional view of the interior volume 101along the width ω looking towards the front 125 of the fluiddistributing device 100. In this embodiment, the fan 150 is affixed toan inner surface of the second end 115 of the fluid distributing device100 and a second fan 170 is affixed to an inner surface of the first end110 of the fluid distributing device 100. A description of the fan 150is discussed above with respect to FIG. 4E. The second fan 170 includesan inlet 172 located around or about the first inlet 135 and an outlet175 that faces the front 125 of the fluid distributing device 100. Thesecond fan 170 is configured to suction air into the fluid distributingdevice 100 via the inlet 135 in the first end 110 and blows thesuctioned air in a direction 177 towards the front 125 of the fluiddistributing device 100. The air blown towards the front 125 can thenexit the fluid distributing device 100 via the outlet 130. In someembodiments, the fans 150, 170 may not blow directly towards the front125. In some embodiments, the fans 150, 170 can suction air into thefluid distributing device 100 that causes the internal volume 101 tohave a higher air pressure relative to outside the fluid distributingdevice 100. The pressure difference between the internal volume 101 andthe space outside the fluid distributing device 100 can cause thesuctioned air to flow out of the outlet 130 in a stream with a highervelocity than the conditioned air flowing past the fluid distributingdevice 100 from the TRU (as shown by arrows 48 in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4E).

FIGS. 8A and 8B show another embodiment of an internal volume 401 of afluid distributing device 400 with fans 450, 470. FIG. 8A is horizontalcross sectional view of the internal volume 401 looking towards thebottom 420 of the fluid distributing device 400. FIG. 8B is a crosssectional view of the internal volume 401 along a width o lookingtowards a front 425 of the fluid distributing device 400. The fluiddistributing device 400 has a similar external structure as the fluiddistributing device 100 in FIGS. 2-4E. The fluid distributing device 400has ends 410, 415; inlets 435, 440; a back 427; a top 427; the front425; the bottom 420 with an outlet (not shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B); aprotrusion 460; and a width ω similar to the fluid distributing device100.

It should be understood that the fluid distributing device 400 may bemodified in a similar manner as discussed regarding the fluiddistributing device 100. For example, fluid distributing device 400 mayhave an outlet similar in its back 427 similar to the fluid distributingdevice 200 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B in an embodiment. In such anembodiment, the fans 450, 470 may blow towards the back 427 instead ofthe front 425 of the fluid distributing device 400. For example, thefluid distributing device 400 in an embodiment may have a curved shapesimilar to the fluid distributing device 300 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

The fluid distributing device 400 includes two inlet extensions 437,442. A first inlet extension 437 connects the inlet 435 of the first end410 to an inlet of the fan 470. The first inlet extension 437 directsthe air entering the fluid distributing device 400 through the inlet 435to the inlet of the fan 470. The fan 470 is affixed to an end of thefirst inlet extension 437 opposite the inlet 435. The first extension437 positions the fan 470 within the internal volume 401 of the fluiddistributing device 400. A second inlet extension 442 has a similarconfiguration to the first inlet extension 437, except with respect tothe other fan 450 and the inlet 440 on the second end 415. In someembodiments, the fluid distributing device 400 may include supportstructures (not shown) that provide support to the fans 450, 470 inaddition to or instead of the inlet extensions 437, 442. In suchembodiments, a separate supporting structure may be provided to supportand/or position both or each of the fans 450, 470 within the fluiddistributing device 400 while each of the extensions 437, 442 can directair into a corresponding inlet of the fans 450, 470.

Each fan 450, 470 can blow air in a direction 457, 477 towards the front425 of the fluid distributing device 400. The outlet 475, 455 of eachfan 450, 470 is angled towards a center portion 426 of the front 425.The direction 457, 477 of each fan 450, 470 is not perpendicular to thewidth ω or the longitudinal direction D_(L). The fans 450, 470 areoriented so as to minimize the turbulent airflow within the fluiddistributing device 400. For example, the orientation would be based onthe shape of the fluid distributing device 400. When the fluiddistributing device 400 is attached to the roof 30 of the transport unit5 as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the first fan 450 can be angled in the curbsidedirection D_(C) towards the roadside longitudinal wall 20 and the secondfan 470 can be angled in the roadside direction D_(R) towards thecurbside longitudinal wall 25. It will be appreciated that in someembodiments, the fans 450, 470 may be angled in different directionsthen shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B based on additional testing or modeling sothat, for example, the fluid distributing device 400 more efficientlyincreases the velocity of air flowing from the fluid distributing device400 and/or provides a greater velocity of air from the fluiddistributing device 400.

FIG. 9 illustrates a control diagram of a control system 500 of the TRU40 in an embodiment. The control system is configured to control thefluid distributing device 100 and optionally the fluid distributingdevice 102 in the transport unit 5. The TRU 40 includes a control unit510 that controls the flow of air from the fluid distributing device100. The control unit 510 is electrically connected to the fans 150, 170of the fluid distributing device 100. The control unit 510 can operatethe fans 150, 170 as needed to adequately and/or efficiently cool orheat the interior space 50 by helping to distribute the conditioned airprovided to the interior space of the trailer 5. For example, when thetransport unit 5 has goods that are near the back wall 15 of the trailer5, the control unit 510 can operate the fans 150, 170 so that the airaround goods near the back wall 15 is at the desired environmentalconditions. For example, in some embodiments the control unit 510 canoperate the fans 150, 170 to adjust the flow rate of air being blownfrom the fluid distributing device 102 in a direction from the frontwall 10 towards the back wall 15. In some embodiments, the control unit510 operates the fans 150, 170 by adjusting the fan speed of each fan150, 170. In another embodiment, the control unit 510 operates the fans150, 170 by activating or deactivating one or both of the fans 150, 170to be on or off. A sensor 515 is configured to detect the presence ofgoods in a specific area (e.g., an area near the back wall 15, an arealocated between the fluid distributing device 100 and the back wall 15)of the transport unit 5. The control unit 510 operates the fluiddistributing device 100 based on whether the sensor 515 detects goods inthe specific area.

As discussed above and shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the transport unit 5 insome embodiments may optionally include the second fluid distributingdevice 102. Optionally, the control unit 510 is electrically connectedto and operates the fans 550, 570 of the second fluid distributingdevice 102. The second fluid distributing device 102 may include asensor 530 that detects if goods are located in a specific area of theinterior space 50. The control unit 510 may then operate the seconddistributing device 102 based on whether the sensor 530 detects goods inthe specific area where the second fluid distributing device 102 islocated. For example, the sensor 515 may detect if goods are in an areabetween the fluid distributing device 100 and the second fluiddistributing device 102 and the sensor 530 may detect if goods are in anarea between the second fluid distributing device 102 and the back wall15 of the transport unit 5. As shown in FIG. 2, the second fluiddistributing device 102 is downstream from the first distributing device100 with respect to the TRU 40. Accordingly, the control unit 510 in anembodiment may control the first distributing device 100 based onwhether the second fluid distributing device 102 is active. Accordingly,the fluid distributing devices 100, 102 may work together to provideconditioned air to goods in an area located between the second fluiddistributing device 102 and the back wall 15 of the transport unit 5.The control unit 510 is shown for the transport unit 5 having the firstfluid distributing device 100 and the optional second fluid distributingdevice 102. However, it should be appreciated that in some embodimentsthe transport unit 5 may include more than two fluid distributingdevices 100, 102. In such embodiments, the control unit 510 can beelectrically connected to fans of each of the fluid distributing devicesso as to allow the control unit 510 to control each fluid distributingdevice in the transport unit 5. In such embodiments, each of the fluiddistributing devices may include a corresponding sensor to detect ifgoods are in a specific area of the transport unit 5 and the controlunit 510 may operate each of the fluid distributing devices based ondata monitored by the corresponding sensor.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method 600 for a fluid distributing device 100 todistribute air within the interior space 50 of the transport unit 5,according to one embodiment. In an embodiment, the fluid distributingdevice 100 is attached to the roof 30 of the transport unit 5. The fluiddistributing device 100 can have at least one outlet 130 that extends ina direction between the longitudinal walls 20, 25 of the transport unit5. The fluid distributing device 100 has at least one inlet 135, 140that faces one of the longitudinal walls 20, 25 of the transport unit 5.However, in some embodiments, the fluid distributing device 100 may beformed along one of the longitudinal walls 20, 25 of the transport unit5. In such an embodiment, the outlet 130 may extend in a directionbetween the roof 30 and the floor 35 of the transport unit 5 andinlet(s) 135, 140 may face the roof 30 or the floor 35 of the transportunit 5. However, it should be appreciated that the method 600 may be forthe fluid distributing device 102 in FIGS. 1, 2, and 8, the fluiddistributing device 200 in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the fluid distributingdevice 300 in FIG. 6, or for the fluid distributing device 400 in FIGS.8A and 8B in some embodiments.

At 605, the fluid displacement device 100 draws air into the airflowdistributing volume, via at least one of the inlet 135, 140. Forexample, the air distributing volume may be the internal volume 101 ofthe fluid distributing device 100 in an embodiment. The air is drawninto the air distributing volume in at least a first direction thatintersects one of the longitudinal walls 20, 25 of the transport unit 5.Each of the inlets 135, 140 faces a direction that intersects with oneof the longitudinal walls 20, 25. For example, air may be drawn into thefluid displacement device 100 by one or more positive fluid displacementdevices (e.g., fans 150, 170). The method 600 then proceeds to 610.

At 610, the air is discharged from the fluid distribution device 100 viathe outlet 130 in a specific direction within the interior space 50 ofthe transport unit 5. The fluid distribution device 100 may beconfigured so that the fluid distribution device 100 discharges air sothat conditioned air is more equally distributed within the interiorspace 5. For example, the air may be discharged in a direction may bethe direction N towards a back of the interior space 50 of the transportunit 5 (e.g., towards the back wall 15 of the transport unit 5) in anembodiment.

Optionally, the method may include step 615 in an embodiment. At step615, a sensor 515 may detect whether goods are within a particularportion of the interior space 50 of the transport unit 5 in anembodiment. In an embodiment, a control unit 510 can be connected to thesensor 515 and to the one or more positive fluid displacement device(s)within the fluid distributing device 100. For example, the control unit510 may operate the one or more positive fluid displacement device(s)based on whether the sensor 515 detects the presence of goods within theparticular portion of the interior space 50.

The fluid distributing device 100 may also be employed in otherapplications. As discussed above, ram air effects can make it moredifficult for air to be discharged from a TRU (e.g., the TRU 40 shown inFIGS. 2 and 3). The ram air effect can increase as a refrigeratedtransport unit (e.g., the refrigerated transport unit 1 shown in FIGS. 2and 3 travels at higher speeds. As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, one ormore fluid distributing devices 700A, 700B in some embodiments may beattached to an external surface of a refrigerated transport unit 2 tohelp direct process air discharged outside the TRU 40 and help counterthe ram air effect. For clarity in the Figures, only fluid distributingdevice 700A is labeled. However, it should be understood that fluiddistributing device 700B has a similar configuration as fluiddistributing device 700A. In an embodiment, one or both of the fluiddistributing devices 700A, 700B may have one or more of themodifications described herein for fluid distributing 700A. FIG. 11Cshows a prospect view of a middle portion of the fluid distributingdevice 700A. The ends 710, 715 are omitted in FIG. 11C so as toillustrate the internal configuration of the fluid distributing device700A including projection 760.

The fans 42 of the TRU 40 discharge the process air through outlets 44located on the upper surface 46 of the TRU 40. A fluid distributingdevice 700A, 700B is positioned near each of the outlets 44. Duringtransport, ambient air flows towards the refrigerated transport 2 asshown by arrows 704. The front 722 of the fluid distributing device 700Ahelps block the incoming air. The fluid distributing device 700A isattached to the upper surface 46 of the TRU 40 by a bracket 705. Thefluid distributing device 700A is attached to the outer surface of thetrailer 5 via the bracket 705. It will be appreciated that in otherembodiments, the fluid distributing device 700A may be directly attachedto a surface (e.g., upper surface 46) of the TRU unit 40 or an outersurface (e.g., external surface of roof 30) of the trailer 5. In anembodiment, the fluid distributing device 700A may not have surfacealong its bottom 725 (e.g., the surface facing downward) and the uppersurface 46 may form a back surface of the fluid distributing device700A.

The fluid distributing device 700A has a structure that is similar tothe fluid distributing device 300 shown in FIG. 6, except that the fluiddistributing device 700A is attached to the transport unit 5 in adifferent manner In particular, the fluid distributing device 700A inFIG. 11A is rotated counter-clockwise when compared to the fluiddistributing device 100 in FIG. 2 such that the outlet 730 of the fluiddistributing device 700A is on the back 720 of the fluid distributingdevice 700A instead of its bottom 722. The fluid distributing device700A has a first end 710 and second end 715 that each has an inlet 735(the inlet 735 in the second end 715 is not shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B).Each fluid distributing device 700A, 700B has a concave shape towardsits respective outlet 44. However, it should be understood that one orboth of the fluid distributing device 700A, 700B may be configured tohave a generally straight shape similar to the fluid distributing device100 in FIG. 3.

The fluid distributing device 700A has top 727, a bottom 725, and awidth ω₃ that extends from the first end 710 to the second end 715 ofthe fluid distributing device 700A. The outlet 730 of the fluiddistributing device 700A extends in a direction along the width ω₃ ofthe fluid distributing device 700A. The fluid distributing device 700Ablows air through the outlet 730 in the direction N₃. Each of the firstend 710, second end 715, and inlets 735 in an embodiment may have astructure similar to the first end 110, second end 115, and inlets 135,140 as the fluid distributing device 100 discussed above. The fluiddistributing device 700A in an embodiment may also include one or moreof the structural features (e.g., multiple inlets 735 in one of the ends710, 715; an outlet 830 that is not parallel to the width ω₃ of thefluid distributing device 700) discussed above with respect to fluiddistributing device 100. Alternatively or additionally, fluiddistributing device 700 may be modified to have a structure similar tofluid distributing device 200 (e.g., the outlet 830 located in the back827) and/or the fluid distributing device 300 (e.g., a concave shape).

Each of the fluid distributing devices 700A, 700B is attached to therefrigerated transport unit 2 so as to be near one of the outlets 44 ofthe TRU 40. The fluid distributing device 700A has a similar internalstructure to the fluid distributing device 100 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.The fluid distributing device 700A in an embodiment may have a similarinternal structure to the fluid distributing device 200 shown in FIGS.8A and 8B. Accordingly, the fluid distributing device 700A includes oneor more positive fluid displacement devices (e.g., fan 150, 170, 250,270). The fans 42 blow air in direction H2. When the refrigeratedtransport unit 2 is traveling at higher speeds, the one or more positivefluid displacement devices of the fluid distributing device 700A may beactivated. When in operation, the positive fluid displacement device(s)blow air (e.g., by suction, etc.) in direction N₃ that is in front of orthat intersects the direction H₂ of the air blown by its fan 42. Thefluid distributing device 700A can help dampen the ram air affect byforming a blockade that blocks air from flowing directly through thespace above fan 44. Further, the air flow from the fluid distributingdevice 700A can help push airflow upward, which can allow the air tomore easily flow in direction H₂. The angle α₁ of the air blown from thefluid distributing device 700A relative to direction N₃ is 5 degrees inFIG. 12. In some embodiments, the angle α₁ of the air blown from thefluid distributing device 700A relative to direction H₂ may be in arange between about 0 degrees to about 45 degrees. In some embodiments,the angle α₁ of the air blown from the fluid distributing device 700Arelative to direction H₂ may be in a range between about 0 degrees toabout 10 degrees. In other embodiments, the angle α₁ of the air blownfrom the fluid distributing device 700A relative to direction H₂ may bein a range between about 0 degrees to about 5 degrees. Accordingly, thepositive air displacement devices(s) of the fluid distributing device700A may be activated when the refrigerated transport unit 2 istraveling at higher speeds to help counter the ram air effect. In anembodiment, the positive air displacement device(s) of the fluiddistributing device 700A may be activated when the refrigeratedtransport unit 2 is traveling at highway speeds (e.g., a speed of about50 mph or greater). In another embodiment, the positive air displacementdevice(s) of the fluid distributing device 700A may be activated whenthe refrigerated transport unit 2 is traveling at high speeds (e.g., aspeed of about 60 mph or greater). The fluid distributing device(s)700A, 700B improve the efficiency of the fan(s) 42 and the TRU 40 byreducing or negating the negative ram air effect on the flow of air fromthe fan(s) 42.

The TRU 40 has two outlets 44. However, in other embodiments, the TRU 40may have one or more outlets 44. In another embodiment, the TRU 40 mayhave one outlet 44 and a single distributing device 700A may be providedfor the single outlet 44. In an embodiment, the TRU may have three ormore outlets 44. For example, in such an embodiment, at least onedistributing device 700A may be provided for each outlet 44. In anembodiment, multiple fluid distributing devices 700A, 700B may beprovided for each of the one or more outlets 44. In some embodiments,the multiple fluid distributing devices 700A, 700B, may be positioned toform a similar shape to the fluid distributing devices 700A, 700B butwith a gap between them. In FIG. 11B for example, a first fluiddistributing device may form the left portion of the fluid distributingdevice 700A, and a second fluid distributing device may form the rightportion of the fluid distributing device 700A. In such an embodiment,there may be a space between the first and second fluid distributingdevices 700A, 700B so as to allow the first and second fluiddistributing devices 700A, 700B to suction air from the their openingsin their ends that face each other.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show a fluid distributing device 800 in an air duct850 for an HVAC system, according to one embodiment. In some commercialHVAC systems, air ducts can be used to provide conditioned air tomultiple locations within a building. Air conditioned by the HVAC systemmay not be able to reach the certain locations of the building as theconditioned air slows (e.g., loses its velocity) the further theconditioned air has to travel. FIGS. 12A and 12B show a portion of theair duct 850 that is located between a location where the HVAC systemgenerates conditioned air and a portion of a building that is locatedfarther away from the location where the HVAC system generates theconditioned air. The fluid distributing device 850 can increase thevelocity of the conditioned air within the air duct 850. The air duct850 includes a top wall 855, a bottom wall 860, and side walls 865, 870.The conditioned air is configured to flow through the air duct 850 inthe direction shown by arrows 852. The fluid distributing device 800 isattached to the top wall 855 of the air duct 850 by a bracket 805.However, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the fluiddistributing device 800 may be attached (by the bracket 805 or directly)to the bottom wall 860, or one of the side walls 865, 870 of the airduct 850. The fluid distributing device 800 includes a front 825, abottom 820 with the outlet 830, a first end 810, a second end 815, andinlets 835 in each end 810, 815. The fluid distributing device 800 has awidth ω₄ that extends from the first end 810 to the second end 815. Thefront 825 of the fluid distributing device 800 is aerodynamically shapedso as to minimize the impact of the fluid distributing device 800 on thevelocity of conditioned air that flows past the fluid distributingdevice 800. The fluid distributing device 800 may have a structuresimilar to the fluid distributing device 100 as described above. Thefluid distributing device 800 in an embodiment may also include one ormore of the structural features (e.g., multiple inlets 835 in one of theends 810, 815; an outlet 830 that is not parallel to the width of thefluid distributing device 800) discussed above with respect to fluiddistributing device 100. Alternatively or additionally, fluiddistributing device 800 may be modified to have a structure similar tofluid distributing device 200 (e.g., the outlet 830 located in the back827) and/or the fluid distributing device 300 (e.g., a concave shape).

The outlet 830 of the fluid distributing device 800 is configured sothat the fluid distributing device 800 discharges air in the directionshown by the arrows labeled N₄. The fluid distributing device 800 has aninternal configuration that is similar to the fluid distributing device100. In some embodiments, the fluid distributing device 800 may have aninternal configuration that is similar to the fluid distributing device200. Accordingly, the fluid distributing device 800 can include one ormore positive fluid displacement devices (e.g., fan 150, 170, 250, 270).The angle α₂ is about 5 degrees relative to direction H₃. Direction H₃is a direction parallel to the direction 852 of conditioned air flowingthrough the air duct. In some embodiments, the angle α₂ of the air blownfrom the fluid distributing device 100 relative to a direction H₃ may bein a range between about 0 degrees to about 45 degrees. In otherembodiments, the angle α₂ of the air blown from the fluid distributingdevice 100 relative to a horizontal direction H₃ may be in a rangebetween about 0 degrees to about 10 degrees. In other embodiments, theangle α₂ of the air blown from the fluid distributing device 100relative to a horizontal direction H₃ may be in a range between about 0degrees to about 5 degrees. When required or desired by the HVAC system,the fluid distributing device 800 can be activated so as to supplementone or more fans of the HVAC system by increasing the velocity of theair in the air duct 850 by blowing a stream of the conditioned airtowards desired locations within the building. The fluid distributingdevice 800 can improve the efficiency of the HVAC system by increasingthe flow of conditioned air to more remote area(s) of the building.

FIGS. 13A-13C show views of a heating space 952 of an oil cooler 950,according to one embodiment. FIG. 13A is a downward view of the heatingspace 952 of the oil cooler 950. FIG. 13B front prospective view of theheating space 952 of the oil cooler 950. FIG. 13C is a side view of theheating space 952 of the oil cooler 950. The oil cooler 950 utilizes airto cool oil utilized by a compressor and its various components. The oilcooler 950 includes an upper wall 955, a bottom wall 960, and sidewalls965, 970 that form the heating space 952. As shown in FIG. 13B, theheating space 952 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape. However, itshould be appreciated that in some embodiments the heating space 952 mayhave more than four walls 955, 960, 965, 970 and/or the walls 955, 960,965, 970 may form a different cross-sectional shape (e.g., circular,trapezoidal, etc.) than rectangular.

The oil cooler 950 includes a heat exchanger tube 975 that passesthrough the heating space 952. The heat exchange tube 975 has fourpasses 976 (one of the passes 976 shown in FIG. 12B is mostly obscuredby the fluid distributing devices 900A, 900B) and includes an inlet 977and an outlet 979 that are attached to the sidewall 965 of the heatingspace 952. However, it should be appreciated that the heat exchangertube 975 in some embodiments can include one or more passes and theinlet 977 and/or outlet 979 may be attached to the other walls 955, 960,965, 970 of the heating space 952.

The heat exchanger tube 975 in FIGS. 13A-13C is shown without additionalexternal or internal features (e.g., dimples, external fins, internalbaffles) for increasing heat exchange between the flowing oil andflowing air. However, it should be appreciated that the heat exchangertube 975 in some embodiments may have additional external or internalfeatures for increasing the heat exchange between the flowing oil andflowing air.

Air flows through the heating space 952 as shown by arrows 954 andacross the surfaces of the heat exchanger tube 975. Oil flows throughthe heat exchanger tube 975 in the direction shown by arrow 978. As theair flows across the surfaces of the heat exchanger tube 975, theflowing air is heated by the oil flowing through the material of heatexchanger tube 975. Two fluid distributing devices 900A, 900B arepositioned within the heating space 952 to direct some of the air acrossthe surfaces of the heat exchanger tube 975. For clarity in the Figures,only fluid distributing device 900A is labeled. However, it should beunderstood that fluid distributing device 900B has a similarconfiguration as fluid distributing device 900A. In an embodiment, oneor both of the fluid distributing devices 900A, 900B as shown in FIGS.13A-13C may have one or more of the modifications described herein forfluid distributing 900A.

The fluid distributing device 900A is indirectly attached to the upperwall 955 of the heating space by a bracket 905. While the fluiddistributing device 900A is indirectly attached by the bracket 905 tothe upper wall 955 in FIGS. 13A-13C, the fluid distributing device 900Ain an embodiment may be directly attached to the upper wall 955. In suchan embodiment, a portion of said respective wall may provide the surfaceof the fluid distributing device 900A that faces said wall. For example,when the fluid distributing device 955 is affixed directly to the upperwall 955, the fluid distributing device 900A may be configured so thatall or a portion of the top 922 (e.g., a portion of the top surface ofthe top 922) is provided by the upper wall 955.

It will be appreciated that the fluid distributing device 900A in anembodiment may be attached to a different wall (e.g., bottom wall 960,sidewall 965, sidewall 970) of the heating space 952. In such anembodiment, the fluid distributing device 900A may be directly orindirectly attached to the different wall of the heating space 952. Forexample, the fluid distributing device 900A may be indirectly attachedto one of the sidewalls 965, 970 or the bottom wall 960 by a bracketthat can be similar to the bracket 905.

The fluid distributing device 900A includes a first end 910, a secondend 915, a bottom 920 with an outlet 930, a front 925, and a width ω₄.Each of the ends 910, 915 includes an inlet (not shown) similar to fluiddistributing device 100 in FIGS. 4A-4E. The front 925 has an aerodynamicshape that minimizes the impact of the fluid distributing device 900A onthe velocity of air that flows over and past the fluid distributingdevice 900A. The fluid distributing device 900A in an embodiment mayhave a structure similar to the fluid distributing device 300 asdescribed above.

The fluid distributing device 900A in an embodiment may also be modifiedto have one or more of the structural features (e.g., configuration ofone or more inlets, configuration of one or more outlets 930, a shapethat is generally straight) as discussed above with respect to fluiddistributing device 100. Alternatively or additionally, the fluiddistributing device 900A may be modified to have a structure similar tofluid distributing device 200 (e.g., the outlet 930 located in the back927). In an embodiment, a single fluid distributing device may beprovided instead of two smaller fluid distributing devices 900A, 900B.For example, a fluid distributing device in such an embodiment may havea structure similar to the fluid distributing device 300.

The fluid distributing device 900A can have an internal configurationthat is similar to the fluid distributing device 100 or the fluiddistributing device 200. Accordingly, the fluid distributing device 900Acan include one or more positive air displacement devices (e.g., fan150, 170, 250, 270). The positive air displacement device(s) can pullair into the fluid distributing device 900A through the inlets 935, 940and blow the pulled air through the outlet 930. The fluid distributingdevice 900A can blow from the outlet 930 a stream of air in direction N₅towards the heat exchanger tube 975. The stream of air from outlet 930can have a higher velocity than the velocity of incoming air as it flowspast the fluid distributing device 900A. The direction N₅ has an angleof α₃ relative to the direction H₄ in a first direction (e.g., thehorizontal direction in FIG. 13B), and an angle of α₄ relative todirection H₄ in a second direction (e.g., a vertical direction in FIG.13B). The second direction is perpendicular to the second direction(e.g., a vertical direction in FIG. 13B). Direction H₄ is a directionparallel to the direction 954 of the incoming air. Both angle α₃ and α₄are about 5 degrees in FIG. 13A. In some embodiments, angle α₃ and α₄,respectively, may be in a range between about 0 degrees to about 45degrees. In some embodiments, angle α₃ and α₄, respectively may be in arange between about 0 degrees to about 10 degrees. In other embodiments,angle α₃ and α₄, respectively, may be in a range between about 0 degreesto about 5 degrees. In said embodiments above, angle α₃ and α₄, may bedifferent. In the embodiments described above, α₄ may be an anglerelative to the wall 955, 960, 965, 970 to which the fluid distributingdevice 900A is attached.

Air may not be equally directed over the heat exchanger tube 975. Thiscan result in the formation of one or more dead spots (e.g., locationsalong the heat exchanger tube 975 where little or no air is moving) areformed. The dead spots can decrease the efficiency of the heat exchanger(e.g., an oil cooler, etc.). The fluid distributing devices 900A, 900Bcan direct air across the heat exchanger tube 975 to reduce and/orprevent the formation of dead spots along the heat exchanger tube 975.While the described configuration for the fluid distributing devices900A, 900B is for an oil cooler 950, it will be appreciated that the oilcooler 950 may be a different type of heat exchanger. For example, theone or more fluid distributing devices 900A, 900 may be employed in aheat exchanger that heats or cools air or refrigerant. In such anembodiment, the air or refrigerant flows through the heat exchanger tube950 instead of the oil. The fluid distributing device(s) 900A, 900Bincrease the efficiency of a heat exchanger (e.g., the oil cooler 950,etc.) by reducing and/or reducing the formation of dead spots along theheat exchanger tube(s) (e.g., heat exchanger tube 950, etc.) of the heatexchanger.

The oil cooler 950 in FIGS. 13A-13C has two fluid distributing devices900A, 900B in parallel. In an embodiment, the oil cooler 950 may haveone or more fluid distributing devices 900A, 900B in parallel to betterdistribute air over the heat exchanger tube(s) 975 in the oil cooler950. In some embodiments, the oil cooler 950 may include two or morefluid distributing devices 900A, 900B in parallel to better distributeair over heat exchanger tube(s) 975 in the oil cooler 950.

Aspects:

Any of aspects 1-8 can be combined with any of aspects 9-21, and any ofaspects 9-17 can be combined with any of aspects 18-21.

-   Aspect 1. A fluid distributing device comprising:

a body including a first end and a second end, the body having a widthextending from the first end to the second end, wherein the bodyincludes an inlet at one or both of the first end and the second end;

an outlet extending along a width of the body; and

a positive fluid displacement device configured to draw fluid into aninterior of the body from outside of the body through the inlet.

-   Aspect 2. The fluid distributing device of aspect 1, wherein the    outlet extends from the first end to the second end of the body.-   Aspect 3. The fluid distributing device of either of aspects 2 or 3,    wherein the outlet extends in a direction parallel to the width of    the body.-   Aspect 4. The fluid distributing device of any one of aspects 1-3,    wherein the outlet is a slit extending along a bottom of the fluid    distributing device.-   Aspect 5. The fluid distributing device of any one of aspects 1-4,    wherein the inlet is located at the first end includes at least one    of the one or more inlets, and the body includes a second inlet    located at the second end.-   Aspect 6. The fluid distributing device of any one of aspects 1-5,    wherein the body includes a curved front surface extending from the    first end to the second end of the body-   Aspect 7. The fluid distributing device of any one of aspects 1-6,    wherein the positive fluid displacement device is a fan.-   Aspect 8. The fluid distributing device of any one of aspects 1-7,    wherein the fluid distributing device has a concave shape.-   Aspect 9. A refrigerated transport unit (RTU) comprising:

a transport unit having an interior space defined by a curbsidelongitudinal wall, a roadside longitudinal wall, and a roof;

a fluid distributing device disposed in the interior space including:

-   -   a body including a first end and a second end, the body having a        width extending from the first end to the second end, wherein        the body includes an inlet at one or both of the first end and        the second end,    -   an outlet extending along a width of the fluid distributing        device, and    -   a positive fluid displacement device configured to draw air into        an interior of the fluid distributing device from outside of the        fluid distributing device through the inlet,

wherein the outlet of the fluid distributing device directs the air to aspecific region within the interior space so as to provide more equaldistribution of air within the interior space.

-   Aspect 10. The refrigerated transport unit (RTU) of aspect 9,    wherein

the direction of the air from the outlet of the fluid distributingdevice is a direction towards a back of the RTU.

-   Aspect 11. The refrigerated transport unit (RTU) of either of    aspects 9 or 10, further comprising:

a transport refrigeration unit (TRU) attached to a front of thetransport unit, the TRU blowing conditioned air in a direction from afront end of the interior space towards a back end of the interiorspace.

-   Aspect 12. The refrigerated transport unit (RTU) of any one of    aspects 9-11, wherein the direction of the air discharged from the    fluid distributing device is at or about 10 degrees or less relative    to a horizontal direction that is parallel to the roof of the    transport unit.-   Aspect 13. The refrigerated transport unit (RTU) of any one of    aspects 9-12, further comprising:

a control unit electrically connected to the positive fluid displacementdevice in the fluid distributing device, the control unit configured tocontrol operation of the positive displacement device.

-   Aspect 14. The refrigerated transport unit (TRU) of any one of    aspects 9-13, further comprising:

a sensor to detect goods within a particular portion of the interiorspace, wherein

the control unit electrically controls operation of the positive fluiddisplacement device based on whether the sensor detects the goods in theparticular portion of the interior space.

-   Aspect 15. The refrigerated transport unit (TRU) of any one of    aspects 9-14, wherein the control unit electrically controls a fan    speed of the positive fluid displacement device based on whether the    sensor detects the goods in the particular portion of the interior    space.-   Aspect 16. The refrigerated transport unit (TRU) of any one of    aspects 9-15, wherein the fluid distributing device has a concave    shape.-   Aspect 17. The refrigerated transport unit (RTU) of any one of    aspects 9-16, further comprising:

a second fluid distributing device including a second fluid displacementdevice, the first fluid distributing device and second fluiddistributing device being separated by a distance in the longitudinaldirection within the interior space, wherein

the control unit is electrically connected to the second fluiddisplacement device, the control unit being configured to control a fanspeed of the second fluid displacement device.

-   Aspect 18. A method for a fluid distributing device to distribute    air within an interior space of the refrigerated transport unit    (RTU), the fluid distributing device including an inlet, an outlet    that extends in a direction between longitudinal walls of the RTU    within the interior space, and a positive fluid displacement device,    the method comprising:

the positive fluid displacement device drawing air, via the inlet, intothe fluid distributing device in a first direction that intersects oneof the longitudinal walls of the RTU; and

the positive fluid displacement device discharging, via the outlet, theair out of the fluid distributing device in a specific direction withinthe interior space so as to provide more equal distribution of airwithin the interior space.

-   Aspect 19. The method of aspect 18, wherein

a transport refrigeration unit providing conditioned air to the internalspace via an opening, and

the specific direction of the air discharging out of the fluiddistributing device is a direction towards a portion of the interiorspace, and a distance from the opening to the portion of the interiorspace is greater than a distance from the fluid distributing device tothe opening and a distance from the fluid distributing device to theopening.

-   Aspect 20. The method of either one of aspects 18 and 19, further    comprising:

the specific direction of the air discharging out of the fluiddistributing device is at or about 10 degrees or less relative to ahorizontal direction that is parallel to a roof of the RTU.

-   Aspect 21. The method of any one of aspects 18-20, further    comprising:

a sensor detecting whether goods are within a particular portion of theinterior space; and

a control unit operating the positive fluid displacement device based onwhether the sensor detects goods within the particular portion of theinterior space.

The examples disclosed in this application are to be considered in allrespects as illustrative and not limitative. The scope of the inventionis indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription; and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fluid distributing device comprising: a bodyincluding a first end and a second end, the body having a widthextending from the first end to the second end, wherein the bodyincludes an inlet at one or both of the first end and the second end; anoutlet extending along a width of the body; and a positive fluiddisplacement device configured to draw fluid into an interior of thebody from outside of the body through the inlet.
 2. The fluiddistributing device of claim 1, wherein the outlet extends from thefirst end to the second end of the body.
 3. The fluid distributingdevice of claim 2, wherein the outlet extends in a direction parallel tothe width of the body.
 4. The fluid distributing device of claim 1,wherein the outlet is a slit extending along a bottom of the fluiddistributing device.
 5. The fluid distributing device of claim 1,wherein the inlet is located at the first end includes at least one ofthe one or more inlets, and the body includes a second inlet located atthe second end.
 6. The fluid distributing device of claim 1, wherein thebody includes a curved front surface extending from the first end to thesecond end of the body
 7. The fluid distributing device of claim 1,wherein the positive fluid displacement device is a fan.
 8. The fluiddistributing device of claim 1, wherein the fluid distributing devicehas a concave shape.
 9. A refrigerated transport unit (RTU) comprising:a transport unit having an interior space defined by a curbsidelongitudinal wall, a roadside longitudinal wall, and a roof; a fluiddistributing device disposed in the interior space including: a bodyincluding a first end and a second end, the body having a widthextending from the first end to the second end, wherein the bodyincludes an inlet at one or both of the first end and the second end, anoutlet extending along a width of the fluid distributing device, and apositive fluid displacement device configured to draw air into aninterior of the fluid distributing device from outside of the fluiddistributing device through the inlet, wherein the outlet of the fluiddistributing device directs the air in a specific direction within theinterior space so as to provide more equal distribution of air withinthe interior space.
 10. The refrigerated transport unit (RTU) of claim9, wherein the specific direction of the air directed from the outlet ofthe fluid distributing device is a direction towards a back of theinterior space.
 11. The refrigerated transport unit (RTU) of claim 9,further comprising: a transport refrigeration unit (TRU) attached to afront of the transport unit, the TRU blowing conditioned air in adirection from a front end of the interior space towards a back end ofthe interior space.
 12. The refrigerated transport unit (RTU) of claim9, wherein the direction of the air discharged from the fluiddistributing device is at or about 10 degrees or less relative to ahorizontal direction that is parallel to the roof of the transport unit.13. The refrigerated transport unit (RTU) of claim 9, furthercomprising: a control unit electrically connected to the positive fluiddisplacement device in the fluid distributing device, the control unitconfigured to control operation of the positive displacement device. 14.The refrigerated transport unit (TRU) of claim 13, further comprising: asensor to detect goods within a particular portion of the interiorspace, wherein the control unit electrically controls operation of thepositive fluid displacement device based on whether the sensor detectsthe goods in the particular portion of the interior space.
 15. Therefrigerated transport unit (TRU) of claim 14, wherein the control unitelectrically controls a fan speed of the positive fluid displacementdevice based on whether the sensor detects the goods in the particularportion of the interior space.
 16. The refrigerated transport unit (RTU)of claim 13, further comprising: a second fluid distributing deviceincluding a second fluid displacement device, the first fluiddistributing device and second fluid distributing device being separatedby a distance in the longitudinal direction within the interior space,wherein the control unit is electrically connected to the second fluiddisplacement device, the control unit being configured to control a fanspeed of the second fluid displacement device.
 17. A method for an fluiddistributing device to distribute air within an interior space of arefrigerated transport unit (RTU), the fluid distributing deviceincluding an inlet, an outlet that extends in a direction betweenlongitudinal walls of the RTU within the interior space, and a positivefluid displacement device, the method comprising: the positive fluiddisplacement device drawing air, via the inlet, into the fluiddistributing device in a first direction that intersects one of thelongitudinal walls of the RTU; and the positive fluid displacementdevice discharging, via the outlet, the air out of the fluiddistributing device in a specific direction within the interior space soas to provide more equal distribution of air within the interior space.18. The method of claim 17, wherein a transport refrigeration unit (TRU)providing conditioned air to the internal space via an opening, and thespecific direction of the air discharging out of the fluid distributingdevice is a direction towards a portion of the interior space, and adistance from the opening to the portion of the interior space isgreater than a distance from the fluid distributing device to theopening and a distance from the fluid distributing device to theopening.
 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising: the specificdirection of the air discharging out of the fluid distributing device isat or about 10 degrees or less relative to a horizontal direction thatis parallel to a roof of the RTU.
 20. The method of claim 17, furthercomprising: a sensor detecting whether goods are within a particularportion of the interior space; and a control unit operating the positivefluid displacement device based on whether the sensor detects goodswithin the particular portion of the interior space.